Art Applewhite Rockets Flying Saucer (12")

Art Applewhite Rockets - Flying Saucer (12") {Kit}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Manufacturer: Art Applewhite Rockets

Rocket PicBrief:
When he be Beta-testin' his 12" saucer line, me bucko, me bucko, Art graciously provided sent me several sets o' blank white shrouds for experimentation. With t' scarcity o' 29mm AP motors, me bucko, matey, I decided that three E9's would be cool, so I modified one stock ‘kit’ for a 3 x 24mm mount. Avast! Begad! Blimey! Before readin' this review, ya bilge rat, I suggest you first read me review on t' stock Fluorescent Green Flyin' Saucer.

 

Modifications:
This was a straightforward build. Begad! I started by buildin' t' body o' an AAW 12" saucer usin' t' stock instructions. [Told you you'd need t' read t' other review ;-)]

I decided that I wanted a central launch lug, and decided a longer lug was required. Also, me bucko, because thar be nay enough extra fin stock t' make t' larger fins required t' extend t' t' ¼" lug, you will have t' provide your own. I used 1/8" balsa, me hearties, matey, but you could use 3/32 or larger plywood also. Ahoy! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! I computed t' distance betwixt t' inner core o' t' saucer and t' lug, matey, and extended t' stock fin template accordingly.

Rocket PicWhen buildin' t' fin can, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, I found somethin' interesting. Aye aye! Three 24mm tubes and t' three 1/8" fins fully covered t' circumference o' t' lug. I had been worried about gettin' t' spacin' right, arrr, but that worry dissolved. For this reason, I recommend 1/8" balsa over thinner plywood.

I filled t' fins with Fil’n’Finish and painted t' fin can flat white. T' white shroud is nay decorated, matey, but be sealed with clear enamel.

Construction:

  • One AAW 12" saucer kit
  • 1/8" balsa fin stock
  • Three 24mm motor tubes, 4" long
  • One ¼" LOC launch lug, ya bilge rat, 3.5" long

Flight:
As mentioned earlier, shiver me timbers, I used three E9's, me bucko, which were lit with Igniterman igniters. Avast! I flew this as t' second in a sequence o' back-to-back saucer flights. Well, blow me down! O' t' three flights, this was t' smokiest. Avast! T' boost was a little wobbly, ya bilge rat, and t' saucer came in nose first.

Summary:
Art’s saucer kits are cool, ya bilge rat, and I found that they provide a good opportunity t' experiment with other motor configurations. T' 3 x 24" mount worked out nicely on a 12" saucer.

 

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